(^84) | marieclaire.com.au
MC: You’ve just finished filming
the video clip for your new single
“Better in Blak.” Tell us about
your inspiration for the song.
TP: I think this is the most honest
song I’ve ever shared with the world.
I feel very vulnerable about sharing it;
it’s my experience being a young black
woman in this country. It can feel
pretty hard, but I’m really proud of
who I am, as well as my people and the
beautiful, strong women [in my life].
MC: Claudia, you directed the clip.
How does Thelma take direction?
CSD: I’ve worked with Thelma on her
other clips [for singles “Clumsy Love”
and “Not Angry Anymore”] and
it’s amazing to have watched her
progression from the first shoot.
She is so much more secure with her
presence on camera ... Seeing that
transformation has been beautiful.
TP: I used to feel very nervous and
unsure of myself in front of the camera
- and there’s definitely still some of
that there – but most of it has gone
away. Working with Claudia and the
team reassures me that I’m safe.
MC: Claudia, you crew your music
videos with mostly women. Why
is that important to you?
CSD: We had 19 women and two men
on set for “Better in Blak.” That was
initially Thel’s request, wanting to
create that safe space, which I really
respected. From a holistic sense, I just
love encouraging other women to be
creatively in charge in those spaces.
MC: How did you celebrate
when you wrapped filming?
TP: It was really late on a Friday
night. We all fell into hugs and then
left without even saying goodbye to
each other because we were so tired.
I went home to bed and ate pizza.
MC: Thelma, you have a way of
perfectly capturing emotions in
your songs – especially in the
track “Do You Ever Get So Sad
You Can’t Breathe.” Is music
a form of therapy for you?
TP: Definitely! I don’t know what I
would do if I didn’t have that outlet.
Writing helps me unpack my feelings,
for sure. I wrote “Do You Ever Get So“WE NEED TO START
LISTENING AND BELIEVING
WOMEN – THAT WILL
HELP EMPOWER US”INCONVERSATION
With singer Thelma Plum and director Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore
Behind the scenes with director
Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore.Thelma Plum [left] and
Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore
on the set of the “Not Angry
Anymore” video-clip shoot.